Three days after receiving authorization
The royal barge cut through the Fayyum's main canal as morning mist lifted from green fields stretching toward distant hills. Ptolemy stood at the bow, scanning the agricultural landscape with newfound purpose.
"Your Highness," called Nikomedes, the expedition scribe, "Governor Apollodoros signals from the dock."
The welcoming party was substantial Apollodoros led several regional supervisors and what appeared to be local landholders whose cooperation would prove essential. More importantly, Ptolemy spotted a man whose sun-darkened skin and practical clothing marked him as someone who actually worked the land.
"Your Highness," Apollodoros said, offering a respectful bow, "the Fayyum welcomes you. Though I confess curiosity about these experimental methods His Majesty mentioned."
"I appreciate your openness to innovation, Governor." Ptolemy's natural warmth immediately put the group at ease. "I'd like to understand current operations directly. Who manages your most productive districts?"
"Supervisor Khaemwaset handles our highest-yield areas." Apollodoros gestured to the weathered Egyptian man Ptolemy had noticed.
Perfect. A practical administrator rather than a court politician.
[Divine Appraisal - Active]Khaemwaset: Age 43, Agricultural Expert. Disposition: Cautiously optimistic. Expertise: Excellent field knowledge, open to new ideas. Primary concern: Disruption of successful systems.
As they walked between crop fields, Ptolemy cut straight to the core issue. "Supervisor, what prevents higher productivity here?"
Khaemwaset paused, clearly surprised by the direct question. "Your Highness, we achieve good yields, but..." He pointed toward distant sections. "Those areas flood irregularly during high Nile years, become too dry during low years. Perhaps one-third of our land produces inconsistently."
"And transportation to Alexandria?"
"Expensive and slow," the supervisor admitted. "We lose grain to spoilage, and moving bulk quantities costs more than many harvests justify."
Apollodoros nodded grimly. "Our primary bottleneck. We produce more than we can efficiently export."
Here's the opening. "What if we could stabilize production in problem areas while cutting transport costs through better processing?"
Both men exchanged glances. "That would require methods beyond current practice," Khaemwaset said diplomatically.
"Have you tried rotating different crops between growing seasons? Not just resting fields, but planting specific combinations?"
The supervisor hesitated. "Some farmers rest fields periodically, Your Highness, but planned rotation..."
"Certain plants restore soil strength for following crops. We could identify which combinations work best through controlled testing."
Apollodoros leaned forward, his skepticism shifting toward interest. "Testing how?"
"We start with your worst-performing sections areas where current methods already struggle." Ptolemy gestured toward the problematic fields. "If new approaches fail, we've lost nothing. If they succeed..."
"We have proof that encourages voluntary adoption," Apollodoros finished, clearly grasping the logic.
"Exactly. Meanwhile, we build better storage and processing facilities that benefit everyone regardless of farming methods."
Khaemwaset was studying Ptolemy with growing respect. "Your Highness shows sophisticated understanding of agricultural challenges."
"I've been analyzing provincial reports extensively," Ptolemy replied, maintaining his explanation. "Patterns become clear when examined comprehensively."
But as they continued touring, a subtle tension emerged. Twice, Apollodoros mentioned foreign merchants asking detailed questions about Fayyum operations. The Roman interest his father had mentioned wasn't abstract it was already present on the ground.
That evening in the governor's residence, Ptolemy spread maps across a large table while senior administrators reviewed his proposals.
"The experimental zones represent eight hundred acres of inconsistent farmland," he explained, pointing to marked areas. "Current yields average sixty percent of potential."
"And you believe innovation could improve that meaningfully?" asked Merenptah, the chief irrigation engineer.
"I believe we can demonstrate measurable improvements within one growing season." Ptolemy's quiet confidence was unmistakable. "But success requires voluntary farmer cooperation."
"Which means convincing them changes won't threaten their livelihoods," Apollodoros observed.
"So we eliminate their risk entirely." Ptolemy met each man's gaze directly. "The crown compensates any farmer whose experimental plots produce less than their current average. We assume all risk, they keep all benefits beyond current production."
Thoughtful silence. This wasn't typical royal policy.
"Your Highness," Khaemwaset said slowly, "that eliminates farmer resistance. But it assumes crown certainty about results."
"It assumes crown commitment to genuine improvement," Ptolemy corrected, "and recognition that lasting enhancement requires willing participation."
Between scenes, golden text flickered: [Influence +3: Innovative policy approach. Local administrators impressed by thoughtful leadership.]
Apollodoros leaned forward. "What specific innovations?"
Ptolemy drew upon his system knowledge while explaining in historically appropriate terms. "Planned crop rotation using plants that restore soil fertility. Controlled irrigation managing both floods and droughts. Enhanced seed selection based on careful observation. Improved storage reducing spoilage."
Each proposal drew nods of recognition. Nothing sounded impossible just organized beyond current practice.
"The timeline?" Merenptah asked.
"Immediate implementation. Full results before..." Ptolemy paused meaningfully, "before outside interest becomes active interference."
Apollodoros caught the implication. "Those foreign merchants asking questions?"
"Among other concerns. This demonstrates Egyptian innovation capabilities. Success here influences how other territories develop, and how foreign powers view our competence."
"And if methods fail?" the governor pressed.
"We acknowledge failure, compensate affected farmers, continue traditional approaches." Ptolemy's honesty clearly impressed the group. "But comprehensive analysis suggests these improvements will work."
As the meeting concluded, Ptolemy felt genuine satisfaction. These practical administrators would implement real changes, not court theater.
[Quest Progress: Local Support Secured. Next Phase: Field Implementation. Timeline: Two weeks until growing season.]
The foundation was laid. Now came the test of making innovation grow in Egyptian soil.